Copa Airlines is an International airlines dedicated to provide airline services of the highest quality, they operate approximately 250 daily scheduled passenger flights to 64 destinations in 29 countries across the globe.
Copa also is a member of the leading global airline alliance – Star Alliance, and has code share agreements with United Airlines among other carriers.
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ConnectMiles is Copa Airlines’ frequent flyer program. United States members can earn miles by flying with the carrier or any of its airline partners, using a cobranded credit card orby simple doing business with a handful of ConnectMiles none-airline partners.
The miles you’ve earned can be redeemed for award flights, upgrade and donations. Continue reading below to see the best ways to earn and redeem ConnectMiles.
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ConnectMiles Summary
Airline Alliance | Star Alliance |
Hubs | Panama City |
U.S. Destinations | Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, San Francisco, Tampa, Washington, D.C. |
Transfer Partners | None |
Redemption Options | Flights, upgrades, donations |
ConnectMiles Elite Status
Once you join ConnectMiles, you start out in PreferMember of the PreferProgram. Then you can choose to move up to the following status tiers:
SILVER | GOLD | PLATINUM | PRESIDENTIAL | |
Star Alliance Status | Silver | Gold | Gold | Gold |
Qualifying Miles | 25,000 | 45,000 | 75,000 | 95,000 |
Qualifying Segments | 20 | 40 | 70 | 90 |
Minimum Segments | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Because of COVID-19, they had to modify their qualification requirements for 2021:
SILVER | GOLD | PLATINUM | PRESIDENTIAL | |
Qualifying Miles | 17,000 | 30,000 | 50,000 | 65,000 |
Qualifying Segments | 15 | 30 | 50 | 65 |
Minimum Segments | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Then once you unlock the tier that you want, you’ll be able to keep that status til the end of the following calendar year and enjoy the following benefits:
SILVER | GOLD | PLATINUM | PRESIDENTIAL | |
Miles bonus | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% |
Preferential check-in | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Premium seats & seat selection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Complimentary upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Connect regional upgrade | – | – | 3 | 3 |
Connect global upgrade | – | – | – | 6 |
Free checked baggage allowance (Economy Basic) |
1 @ 50 lbs |
2 @ 50lbs |
2 @ 50lbs |
2 @ 50lbs |
Free checked baggage allowance (Economy Classic/Economy Full) |
2 @ 50lbs |
3 @ 50lbs |
3 @ 50lbs |
3 @ 50lbs |
Free checked baggage allowance (Business Promo/Business Full) |
2 @ 70lbs |
3 @ 70lbs |
3 @ 70lbs |
3 @ 70lbs |
Preferred baggage handling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Preferential security screening | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lounge access | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Preferential boarding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
PreferMember Services priority | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Earning ConnectMiles
In comparison to other frequent flyer programs based in the United States, earning ConnectMiles is not an easy task for U.S. residents. Here are some ways you can earn ConnectMiles:
Flights
You earn ConnectMiles when you fly with Copa Airlines and following the following partners:
- Aegean Airlines
- Aeromexico
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- ANA
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca
- Azul Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- EgyptAir
- Emirates
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Air
- GOL
- KLM
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- Swiss International Airlines
- TAP Portugal
- Thai Airways
- United Airlines
The rate you earn depends on the flight distance, as well as fare class and elite status. You can use the Miles Calculator to determine how much award miles you can earn on your next trip.
Other Ways
Members can also earn ConnectMiles by:
- Staying at a Marriott Bonvoy or IHG hotel.
- Booking accommodations via Booking.com or Rocketmiles.
- Renting a car through Avis or Budget.
- Purchasing ConnectMiles.
Redeeming ConnectMiles
ConnectMiles members can use their miles on award tickets on flights operated by Copa Airlines, Copa Airlines Colombia, Star Alliance member carriers and partner airlines.
You can also redeem your ConnectMiles for upgrades on Copa Airlines and Star Alliance airlines, as well as for charitable donations.
ConnectMiles Expiration
ConnectMiles Award tickets are valid for one year from the date of issue. Even if changes are made to an award ticket after it is issued, the original date of issue remains unchanged.
ConnectMiles Tips & Tricks
Make sure to avoid Copa’s online award booking engine since it’s usually laggy. You can alternatively find your award space with a Star Alliance partner then call ConnectMiles to book your award.
Notable award redemption rules:
- ConnectMiles allows for one stopover and two open jaws on roundtrip awards.
- Children under the age of two don’t require additional miles (but taxes and fees will apply).
- A close-in booking fee will be charged for awards booked within 21 days of departure.
ConnectMiles doesn’t add fuel or carrier-imposes surcharges to Copa and partner airline flights.
Avoid business class since they are plenty of better ways to redeem your ConnectMiles. Copa Airlines’ business class has similar seats to a domestic first class, so it’s better to put your points to a better use.
Redeem your ConnectMiles for:
ITINERARY (one way) | AIRLINE | CLASS | MILES |
Transcontinental North America | United | Business | 25,000 |
U.S. to Peru (stopover in Panama City) |
Copa | Economy | 15,000 |
U.S. to Columbia | Avianca | Business | 35,000 |
U.S. to Middle East/Africa/Asia/Australia/New Zealand (with 1 stopover and up to 2 open jaws) |
Emirates | Business | 80,000 |
U.S. to Maldives | Air India Austrian Emirates |
Business | 80,000 |
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Conclusion
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles is best for those who often flies to Central America, South America or the Caribbean. If you’re looking for another frequent flyer program that offers more transfer partners, you can check out: Avianca LifeMiles.